Sign up to receive free email alerts when patent applications with chosen keywords are publishedSIGN UP

Abstract:

Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a method for charging wireline and
wireless powers. The apparatus for charging wireline and wireless powers
includes: a main battery; an auxiliary battery; a wireline charging
module providing wireline power to the main and auxiliary batteries; and
a wireless charging module connected to the wireline charging module to
thereby provide wireless power to the main and auxiliary batteries.
Therefore, wireline charging and the wireless charging may be
simultaneously performed, thereby making it possible to save a time
required to charge power and to improve the convenience for users
according to various charging scenarios using the wireline charging and
the wireless charging.

Claims:

1. An apparatus for charging wireline and wireless powers, the apparatus
comprising: a main battery; an auxiliary battery; a wireline charging
module providing wireline power to the main and auxiliary batteries; and
a wireless charging module connected to the wireline charging module to
thereby provide wireless power to the main and auxiliary batteries.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wireline charging
module includes: a wireline power receiver receiving the wireline power:
a charging circuit charged with the wireline power received from the
wireline power receiver and the wireless power received from the wireless
charging module; a DC/DC converter converting power of the auxiliary
battery; a first switch installed between the wireline power receiver and
the main battery to thereby connect or disconnect the wireline power
receiver and the main battery to or from each other; a second switch
installed between the wireline power receiver and the charging circuit
and between the wireless charging module and the charging circuit to
thereby connect or disconnect the wireline power receiver and the
charging circuit to or from each other and connect or disconnect the
wireless charging module and the charging circuit to or from each other;
and a microcontrol unit controlling the first and second switches and the
DC/DC converter so as to supply the wireline and wireless powers to the
main and auxiliary batteries or stop the supply of the wireline and
wireless powers to the main and auxiliary batteries according to control
signals for each charging mode.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the wireless charging
module includes: a wireless power receiver receiving the wireless power;
a rectifier rectifying the wireless power; and a regulator stabilizing
the rectified wireless power into a constant voltage.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the wireless charging
module further includes a matcher matching an impedance between the
wireless power receiver and the rectifier.

5. A method for charging wireline and wireless powers, the method
comprising: (A) simultaneously charging wireline and wireless powers in a
main battery and an auxiliary battery when a first charging mode signal
is input; (B) determining whether a second charging mode signal is input
and charging wireline power in the main battery and the auxiliary battery
when the second charging mode signal is input; and (C) determining
whether a third charging mode signal is input and charging wireless power
in the main battery and the auxiliary battery when the third charging
mode signal is input.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein step (A) includes: (A-1)
simultaneously switching on a first switch installed between a wireline
power receiver and a main battery and a second switch installed between a
wireless charging module and a charging circuit when the first charging
mode signal is input; and (A-2) charging wireless power received from the
wireless charging module in the charging circuit simultaneously with
charging wireline power received from the wireline power receiver in the
main battery to thereby charge the powers in the auxiliary battery
connected to the charging circuit.

7. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein step (B) includes: (B-1)
switching on a first switch installed between a wireline power receiver
and the main battery when the second charging mode signal is input; (B-2)
charging wireline power received from the wireline power receiver in the
main battery; (B-3) determining whether the charging of the power in the
main battery is completed; (B-4) switching on a second switch installed
between the wireline power receiver and a charging circuit when the
charging of the power in the main battery is completed; and (B-5)
charging wireline power received from the wireline power receiver in the
charging circuit to thereby charge the wireline power in the auxiliary
battery connected to the charging circuit.

8. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein step (C) includes: (C-1)
switching on a second switch installed between a wireless charging module
and a charging circuit when the third charging mode signal is input;
(C-2) charging wireless power received from the wireless charging module
in the charging circuit to thereby charge the wireless power in the
auxiliary battery connected to the charging circuit; (C-3) determining
whether a charging amount of the wireless power charged in the auxiliary
battery is a preset value or more; (C-4) determining whether a main
battery charging signal is input when the charging amount of the wireless
power is the preset value or more; and (C-5) converting the wireless
power in the auxiliary battery to thereby charge the converted power in
the main battery when the main battery charging signal is input.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application
No. 10-2011-0042653, filed on May 4, 2011, entitled "Power Charging
Apparatus And Charging Method For Both Wireline And Wireless", which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for
charging wireline and wireless powers.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In accordance with the development of information technology (IT),
a communication system has been rapidly developed in 2000s based on an
infinitely expanded area called a wireless area.

[0006] As a result, the communication system has newly changed into a
user-oriented system that is not restricted by place and time and may be
conveniently carried by a user.

[0007] However, in spite of the development of the communication system,
transmission of power and energy and depends upon a wireline system, such
that there are many restrictions in the place and the time when the
system is actually used.

[0008] In order to solve this problem, research into a technology of
providing power to an electronic product including a mobile device in
wireless to thereby charge the power in the electronic product has been
actively conducted. As a result, an apparatus and a method for charging
power in wireless as well as in wireline using a single charging device
have been currently disclosed.

[0009] However, in the case of the apparatus and the method for charging
wireline and wireless powers according to the prior art, at the time of
charging of the power in a plurality of batteries, one of a method for
charging wireline power and a method for charging wireless power need to
be selected and the power need to be sequentially charged in the
plurality of battery through the selected method.

[0010] For example, in the case of charging the power in an electronic
product including a main battery and an auxiliary battery, when it takes
two hours to completely charge the power in each of the main battery and
the auxiliary battery, it takes four hours to charge the power in all of
the main battery and the auxiliary battery.

[0011] In addition, when the charging is stopped within two hours due to a
situation of a user, power according to a corresponding time is charged
in the main battery; however, no power is charged in the auxiliary
battery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide an
apparatus and a method for charging wireline and wireless powers in which
wireline charging and wireless charging may be simultaneously performed.

[0013] Further, the present invention has been made in an effort to
provide an apparatus and a method for charging power according to various
charging scenarios using wireline charging and wireless charging.

[0014] According to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided an apparatus for charging wireline and wireless powers,
the apparatus including: a main battery; an auxiliary battery; a wireline
charging module providing wireline power to the main and auxiliary
batteries; and a wireless charging module connected to the wireline
charging module to thereby provide wireless power to the main and
auxiliary batteries.

[0015] The wireline charging module may include: a wireline power receiver
receiving the wireline power; a charging circuit charged with the
wireline power received from the wireline power receiver and the wireless
power received from the wireless charging module; a DC/DC converter
converting power of the auxiliary battery; a first switch installed
between the wireline power receiver and the main battery to thereby
connect or disconnect the wireline power receiver and the main battery to
or from each other; a second switch installed between the wireline power
receiver and the charging circuit and between the wireless charging
module and the charging circuit to thereby connect or disconnect the
wireline power receiver and the charging circuit to or from each other
and connect or disconnect the wireless charging module and the charging
circuit to or from each other; and a microcontrol unit controlling the
first and second switches and the DC/DC converter so as to supply the
wireline and wireless powers to the main and auxiliary batteries or stop
the supply of the wireline and wireless powers to the main and auxiliary
batteries according to control signals for each charging mode.

[0016] The wireless charging module may include: a wireless power receiver
receiving the wireless power; a rectifier rectifying the wireless power;
and a regulator stabilizing the rectified wireless power into a constant
voltage.

[0017] The wireless charging module may further include a matcher matching
an impedance between the wireless power receiver and the rectifier.

[0018] According to a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a method for charging wireline and wireless
powers, the method including: (A) simultaneously charging wireline and
wireless powers in a main battery and an auxiliary battery when a first
charging mode signal is input; (B) determining whether a second charging
mode signal is input and charging wireline power in the main battery and
the auxiliary battery when the second charging mode signal is input; and
(C) determining whether a third charging mode signal is input and
charging wireless power in the main battery and the auxiliary battery
when the third charging mode signal is input.

[0019] Step (A) may include: (A-1) simultaneously switching on a first
switch installed between a wireline power receiver and a main battery and
a second switch installed between a wireless charging module and a
charging circuit when the first charging mode signal is input; and (A-2)
charging wireless power received from the wireless charging module in the
charging circuit simultaneously with charging wireline power received
from the wireline power receiver in the main battery to thereby charge
the powers in the auxiliary battery connected to the charging circuit.

[0020] Step (B) may include: (B-1) switching on a first switch installed
between a wireline power receiver and the main battery when the second
charging mode signal is input; (B-2) charging wireline power received
from the wireline power receiver in the main battery; (B-3) determining
whether the charging of the power in the main battery is completed; (B-4)
switching on a second switch installed between the wireline power
receiver and a charging circuit when the charging of the power in the
main battery is completed; and (B-5) charging wireline power received
from the wireline power receiver in the charging circuit to thereby
charge the wireline power in the auxiliary battery connected to the
charging circuit.

[0021] Step (C) may include: (C-1) switching on a second switch installed
between a wireless charging module and a charging circuit when the third
charging mode signal is input; (C-2) charging wireless power received
from the wireless charging module in the charging circuit to thereby
charge the wireless power in the auxiliary battery connected to the
charging circuit; (C-3) determining whether a charging amount of the
wireless power charged in the auxiliary battery is a preset value or
more; (C-4) determining whether a main battery charging signal is input
when the charging amount of the wireless power is the preset value or
more; and (C-5) converting the wireless power in the auxiliary battery to
thereby charge the converted power in the main battery when the main
battery charging signal is input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for charging
wireline and wireless powers according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;

[0023] FIG. 2 is flow chart showing a method for charging wireline and
wireless powers according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for charging wireless power
in an auxiliary battery shown in FIG. 3;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the method for charging wireline
power shown in FIG. 2; and

[0027]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the method for charging wireless
power shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Various objects, advantages and features of the invention will
become apparent from the following description of embodiments with
reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The terms and words used in the present specification and claims
should not be interpreted as being limited to typical meanings or
dictionary definitions, but should be interpreted as having meanings and
concepts relevant to the technical scope of the present invention based
on the rule according to which an inventor can appropriately define the
concept of the term to describe most appropriately the best method he or
she knows for carrying out the invention.

[0030] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed
description and preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings. In the specification, in adding reference numerals
to components throughout the drawings, it is to be noted that like
reference numerals designate like components even though components are
shown in different drawings. Further, when it is determined that the
detailed description of the known art related to the present invention
may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description
thereof will be omitted.

[0031] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an apparatus for charging
wireline and wireless powers according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for charging wireline and
wireless powers according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is configured to include a main battery 10, an auxiliary
battery 20, a wireline charging module 210, and a wireless charging
module 230.

[0034] The main battery 10 is embedded in a main device 100 such as a
mobile device to thereby supply power required for driving the main
device 100 to the main device 100.

[0035] Here, the main device 100 may further include a main controller 110
in addition to the main battery 10.

[0036] The main controller 110 generates control signals according to
various charging mode signals selected by users and provides the control
signals to a microcontrol unit (MCU) 216 to be described below.

[0037] The auxiliary battery 20 is embedded in an auxiliary device 200
such as an auxiliary case connected to the main device 100 to thereby
supply power required to drive the main device 100 to the main device 100
at the time of discharging of the main battery 10.

[0038] The wireline charging module 210, which provides wireline power to
the main battery 10 and the auxiliary battery 20, is configured to
include a wireline power receiver 211, a first switch 212, a second
switch 213, a charging circuit 214, a direct current (DC)/DC converter
215, and a microcontrol unit (MCU) 216.

[0039] The wireline power receiver 211 receives wireline power supplied
through a wireline power supplying terminal such as a universal serial
bus (USB).

[0040] The first switch 212 is installed between the wireline power
receiver 211 and the main battery 10 to thereby connect or disconnect the
wireline power receiver 211 and the main battery 10 to or from each
other.

[0041] When the first switch 212 switches on, wireline power received from
the wireline power receiver 211 is supplied to the main battery 10 to
thereby be charged therein.

[0042] When the first switch 212 switches off, the supply of the wireline
power received from the wireline power receiver 211 to the main battery
10 is stopped.

[0043] The second switch 213 is installed between the wireline power
receiver 211 and the charging circuit 214 and between a wireless charging
module 230 to be described below and the charging circuit 214 to thereby
connect or disconnect the wireline power receiver 211 and the charging
circuit 214 to or from each other and connect or disconnect the wireless
charging module 230 and the charging circuit 214 to or from each other.

[0044] The charging circuit 214 is charged with wireline power received
from the wireline power receiver 211 or wireless power received from the
wireless charging module 230, according to an operation of the second
switch 213.

[0045] That is, when the second switch 213 switches on toward a wireline
terminal 1 of the wireline power receiver 211, the wireline power is
charged in the charging circuit 214, and when the second switch 213
switches on toward a wireless terminal 2 of the wireless charging module
230, the wireless power is charged in the charging circuit 214.

[0046] The wireline power or the wireless power charged in the charging
circuit 214 is supplied to the auxiliary battery 20 connected to the
charging circuit 214 to thereby be charged in the auxiliary battery 20.

[0047] When the wireless power is charged in the charging circuit 214, the
DC/DC converter 215 converts the wireless power supplied to the auxiliary
battery 20 into power used in the main battery 10.

[0048] Here, the wireless power DC-DC converted through the DC/DC
converter 215 may be supplied to the main battery 10 to thereby be
charged in the main battery 10 in wireless.

[0049] The MCU 216 controls each component of the wireline charging module
210 so as to charge the wireline power and the wireless power in the main
battery 10 and the auxiliary battery 20 by various methods according to
control signals according to a charging mode transferred from the main
controller 110.

[0050] Meanwhile, the wireless charging module 230 is configured to
include a wireless power receiver 231, a rectifier 233, and a regulator
234.

[0051] The wireless power receiver 231 receives power in wireless.

[0052] The wireless power receiver 231 may be formed of, for example, a
magnetic coil receiving the wireless power through a magnetic induction
scheme, an LC resonant antenna receiving the wireless power through a
magnetic resonance scheme, or the like; however, it is not limited
thereto. Various types of wireless power receiving device may be used.

[0053] The rectifier 233 rectifies the wireless power received from the
wireless power receiver 231.

[0054] The regulator 234 stabilizes the wireless power rectified through
the rectifier 233 into a constant voltage. Here, a low dropout (LDO) may
be used as the regulator 234.

[0055] In addition, the wireless charging module 230 may further include a
matcher 232 installed between the wireless power receiver 231 and the
rectifier 233 to thereby match an impedance therebetween.

[0056] When the second switch 213 switches on toward the wireless terminal
2 of the wireless charging module 230, the wireless power received
through the wireless charging module 230 is charged in the charging
circuit 214 to thereby be supplied to the auxiliary battery 20.

[0057] FIG. 2 is flow chart showing a method for charging wireline and
wireless powers according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention; FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the method for simultaneously
charging wireline and wireless powers shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a flow
chart showing a method for charging wireless power in an auxiliary
battery shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a flow chart snowing the method for
charging wireline power shown in FIG. 2; and FIG. 6 is a flow chart
showing the method for charging wireless power shown in FIG. 2.

[0058] First, referring to FIG. 2, a method for charging wireline and
wireless powers according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention includes determining whether a first charging mode signal is
input (S10) and simultaneously charging wireline and wireless powers when
the first charging mode signal is input (S100), determining whether a
second charging mode signal is input when the first charging mode signal
is not input (S20) and charging wireline power when the second charging
mode signal is input (S200), and determining whether a third charging
mode signal is input when the second charging mode signal is not input
(S30) and charging wireless power when the third charging mode signal is
input (S300).

[0059] In addition, the method for charging wireline and wireless powers
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention may further
include determining whether a charging end signal is input when the third
charging mode signal is not input (S40).

[0060] When it is determined in operation (S40) that the charging end
signal is input, charging the power in the main battery 10 and the
auxiliary battery 20 is stopped, and when it is determined in operation
(S40) that the charging end signal is not input, a process returns to
operation (S10), such that subsequent operations are repeated.

[0061] More specifically, the simultaneous charging of the wireline and
wireless powers (S100) includes charging wireless power received in
wireless in the auxiliary battery 20 (S130) simultaneously with charging
wireline power received in wireline in the main battery 10 (S120) when
the first charging mode signal is input (S110), as shown in FIG. 3.

[0062] More specifically, when the first charging mode signal is input,
the charging of the wireline power received in wireline in the main
battery 10 (S120) includes switching on the first switch 212 installed
between the wireline power receiver 211 and the main battery 10 (S121)
and supplying the wireline power received in wireline through the
wireline power receiver 211 to the main battery 10 to thereby charge the
wireline power in the main battery 10 (S122).

[0063] Then, it is determined whether a wireline charging end signal is
input (S123). When it is determined that the wireline charging end signal
is input, the first switch 212 switches off to thereby end the charging
of the wireline power in the main battery 10, and when it is determined
that the wireline charging end signal is not input, the wireline power is
continuously charged in the main battery 10.

[0064] The charging of the wireless power received in wireless in the
auxiliary battery (S130) performed simultaneously with the charging of
the wireline power received in wireline in the main battery 10 (S120)
includes switching on the second switch 213 installed between the
wireless charging module 230 and the charging circuit 214 toward the
wireless terminal 2 of the wireless charging module 230 (S131) and
charging the wireless power received in wireless through the wireless
charging module 230 in the charging circuit 214 to thereby supply the
wireless power to the auxiliary battery 20 connected to the charging
circuit 214 and charging the wireless power therein (S132).

[0065] Then, it is determined whether a wireless charging end signal is
input (S133). When it is determined that the wireless charging end signal
is input, the second switch 213 switches off to thereby end the charging
of the wireless power in the auxiliary battery 20, and when the wireless
charging end signal is not input, the wireless power is continuously
charged in the auxiliary battery 20.

[0066] Here, the charging of the wireless power received through the
wireless charging module 230 in the auxiliary battery 20 (S132) includes
receiving the wireless power through the wireless power receiver 231
(S132-1), rectifying the received wireless power through the rectifier
233 (S132-3), stabilizing the rectified wireless power into a constant
voltage through the regulator 234 (S132-4), and charging the stabilized
wireless power in the charging circuit 214, thereby charging the wireless
power in the auxiliary battery 20 (S132-5), as shown in FIG. 4.

[0067] In addition, the charging of the wireless power received through
the wireless charging module 230 in the auxiliary battery 20 (S132) may
further include matching an impedance between the wireless power receiver
231 and the rectifier 233 after the receiving of the wireless power
through the wireless power receiver 231 (S132-1).

[0068] Meanwhile, the charging of the wireline power (S200) includes
switching on the first switch 212 installed between the wireline power
receiver 211 and the main battery 10 (S220) and supplying the wireline
power received in wireline through the wireline power receiver 211 to the
main battery 10 to thereby charge the wireline power therein (S230), when
the second charging mode signal is input (S210), as shown in FIG. 5.

[0069] Then, it is determined whether a main battery charging end signal
is input (S240). When it is determined that the main battery charging end
signal is input, the first switch 212 switches off to thereby stop the
supply of the wireline power from the wireline power receiver 211 to the
main battery 10 and the second switch 213 installed between the wireline
power receiver 211 and the charging circuit 214 switches on toward the
wireline terminal 1 of the wireline power receiver 211 (S250) and the
wireline power received in wireline through the wireline power receiver
211 is charged in the charging circuit 214, such that the wireline power
is supplied to and charged in the auxiliary battery 20 connected the
charging circuit 214 (S260).

[0070] Then, it is determined whether an auxiliary battery charging end
signal is input (S270). When it is determined that the auxiliary battery
charging end signal is input, the second switch 213 switches off to
thereby end the charging of the wireline power in the auxiliary battery
20, and when it is determined that the auxiliary battery charging end
signal is not input, the wireline power is continuously charged in the
auxiliary battery 20.

[0071] Finally, the charging of the wireless power (S300) includes
switching on the second switch 213 installed between the wireless
charging module 230 and the charging circuit 214 toward the wireless
terminal 2 of the wireless charging module 230 (S320) and charging the
wireless power received from the wireless charging module 230 in the
charging circuit 214 to thereby supply the wireless power to the
auxiliary battery 20 connected to the charging circuit 214 and charge the
wireless power therein (S330), when the third charging mode signal is
input (S310), as shown in FIG. 6.

[0072] Here, the charging of the wireless power received through the
wireless charging module 230 in the auxiliary battery 20 (S330) are the
same as the charging of the wireless power received through the wireless
charging module 230 in the auxiliary battery 20 (S132) as shown in FIG.
4. Therefore, a detailed description thereof will be substituted with the
above-mentioned description.

[0073] Then, it is determined whether an amount charged in the auxiliary
battery 20 is a preset value or more (S340).

[0074] When it is determined in operation (S340) that the amount charged
in the auxiliary battery 20 is a preset value or more, it is determined
whether a main battery charging signal is input (S350).

[0075] When it is determined in operation (S350) that the main battery
charging signal is input, the wireless power in the auxiliary battery 20
is converted into power appropriate for the main battery 10 and the
converted wireless power is supplied to and charged in the main battery
10 (S360).

[0076] Then, it is determined whether the main battery charging end signal
is input (S370). When it is determined that the main battery charging end
signal is input, the second switch 213 switches off to thereby end the
charging of the wireless power in the main battery 10, and when it is
determined that the main battery charging end signal is not input, the
wireless power is continuously charged in the main battery 10.

[0077] Meanwhile, it is determined in operation (S340) that the amount
charged in the auxiliary battery 20 is the preset value or less, it is
determined whether the auxiliary battery charging end signal is input
(S380). When it is determined that the auxiliary battery charging end
signal is input, the second switch 213 switches off to thereby end the
charging of the wireless power in the auxiliary battery 20, and when it
is determined that the auxiliary battery charging end signal is not
input, a process returns to operation (S330), such that subsequent
operations are repeated.

[0078] As described above, with the apparatus and the method for charging
wireline and wireless powers according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, both of the main battery and the auxiliary battery may
be simultaneously charged, such that a charging time may be saved and the
main battery and the auxiliary battery may be charged by various methods
according to various charging scenarios through wireline charging and
wireless charging, thereby making it possible to improve the convenience
for users.

[0079] According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention,
the main battery is charged by wireline charging and the auxiliary
battery is charged by wireless charging, such that the wireline charging
and the wireless charging may be simultaneously performed, thereby making
it possible to save time required to charge power.

[0080] In addition, according to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, it is possible to improve the convenience for users according
to various charging scenarios using the wireline charging and the
wireless charging.

[0081] While the present invention has been shown and described in
connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.